EARTH DAY CELEBRATION SPEAKER  

“PROTECTING OUR ENVIRONMENT IN TURBULENT TIMES”  

DANIEL C. ESTY, CT COMMISSIONER OF ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION 

 SATURDAY, APRIL 21, 2012 AT 2PM   

TRACKSIDE TEEN CENTER, 15 STATION ROAD, WILTON, CT 

FREE ADMISSION

Please feel free to come up to a half hour early as the gallery of maps will be available to look over before the sessions. The draft study materials are also posted on-line at http://www.fhitestsite.com/norwalk-trail/.

Session Flow
  
Discuss the Trail planning process and how the Trail recommendation was developed
Go on a north-to-south “tour” of the entire Trail using slides and large-scale maps
Use slides and maps to review the existing conditions along the proposed Trail and the options in each community. Routes that are most “trail ready” will be identified and key design challenges such as streams and steep slopes will be reviewed.
Participate in interactive small group workshops to discuss the options and identify the preferred route and key trail characteristics such as amenities and trailheads
If you cannot attend but would like to share your comments, you are welcome to forward them to info@nrvt-trail.com no later than February 24th.

BYOB POSITION

BACKGROUND
After two (2) Town Meetings last December and January, the Board of Selectmen supported an Educational Campaign vs. a Ban on single use bags.
Educational Campaign initiated by WGG in January 2011
Goal: To achieve 50% use of reusable bags within 6-12 Months
Board of Selectmen provided $2,5000 toward the program.
WGG produced 2,500 reusable bags with winning designs from a School art contest
More than 12,000 reusable bags were given away during a two-month period. Stop and Shop contributed the balance.
WGG placed kiosks in Stop and Shop and Village Market with free bags and signage explaining the need.
WGG produced and distributed Car Widow Stickers to remind shoppers not to forget to BYOB.
WGG initiated an aggressive PR campaign in the local papers that was supported editorially by the Wilton Bulletin.
The Board of Selectman agreed to revisit the subject if the goal of 50% compliance was not achieved.

STATUS
Before the Educational Campaign began, approximately 8-10% of shoppers used reusable bags.
As of November 2011, approximately 15-18% (?) of shoppers used reusable bags.
WGG will request that the Board of Selectmen “revisit” the subject.

OTHER JURISDICTIONS
Westport , CT banned, in September 2008, the use of disposable plastic bags, but not paper bags
Whole Foods in Westport refunds shoppers 10 cents for reusing a Whole Foods paper bag.
Westport retailers do not charge for paper.
Washington DC, in January 2010, required business’ that sell food or alcohol to charge 5 cents for each disposable paper or plastic carryout bag. Businesses keep 1 cent or 2 cents if it offers a rebate when you bring your own bag. The remaining 3 or 4 cents goes into the Anacostia River protection fund.
In December 2011 Seattle banned plastic bags and instituted a charge of 5 cents for paper bags.
San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Maui, Hawaii banned non-biodegradable plastic bags.
In 2002, Ireland implemented a surcharge on plastic bags that equates to 30 cents. The Country has seen a 90% decrease in the use of Plastic bags since the surcharge meaning 1 billion fewer bags used annually.
China banned all plastic bags in 2008
In 2009, North Carolina banned plastic bags in the Outer Banks.
The National Conference of Stares reports that ten ( 10) States have proposed legislation to tax, charge or ban the use of plastic bags.

PROPOSED WGG, INC POSITION
That the Board of Selectmen pass an ordinance to ban the use of plastic bags in retailers that sell food, alcohol and pharmaceuticals (CVS). Single use paper bags would not be banned.
Retailers would charge 5 cents for each paper bag. Half would go to the retailer and half would go to a Wilton Fund for the Environment, which could be administered by the Conservation Commission. These funds could be used, for example, to purchase and place recycle bins at strategic locations in town. Bike racks at retail stores, purchase of reusable bags etc

 An authentic agricultural fair that heartily recalls Wilton’s agricultural past with judged exhibits of horticulture, baked goods, sewing and needlework. photography, eggs and farm animals. 

 An abundance of activities for children and adults with selected concessionaires, educational exhibits by civic organizations and non-profits, a watermelon-eating contest, local talent for entertainment, and a rubber duck race down Norwalk River

The original “Bottle Bill” was enacted in 1978 and expanded in 2009 to include water bottles and to return to the State unredeemed deposits. Previously unredeemed deposits were kept by the beverage distributor. This amounts to many millions a year.

This act would simply expand the Bill to include juice, punch, and tea and sport drink bottles.

We support the expansion for its anti-litter and recycling benefit.  It will also enhance the ability of charities, civic groups, scout troops and others to raise funds from bottle and can drives.  In addition the State will benefit from increased revenue from unredeemed deposits.

STATUS:  DEFEATED

Local Press:

Article in the Wilton Patch

Fairfield Organic Teaching Farm

Green Towns – Wilton, CT

Millstone Farm

Westport Green Valley Initiative

• About
  • History of Wilton Go Green
  • Board of Directors
  • Advisory Council
  • Donate
• WGG Festival
  • Run of the Day
  • Location/Hours
  • Videos/Pictures
  • Steering Committee
  • Partners
  • Sponsors and Donors
  • Exhibitors
  • Applications and Forms
  • Volunteer Opportunities
  • Join our Mailing List
• Events/Programs
  • Green Homes Tour
  • Home
• Focus Areas
  • Building
  • Energy
  • Food
  • Transportation
  • Waste / Recycling
  • Natural Resources
• News
  • Policy & Positions
  • Press & Publicity
  • News and Announcements
• Get Involved
• Contact Us